Independent Lens 1999
What is Independent Lens?
Independent Lens is an award-winning anthology television series that premiered in 1999. The program airs on PBS and is also available for streaming through the PBS App.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1999
- Status
- Returning Series
- Episodes
- 542
- Runtime
- 60 minutes
- First aired
- Aug 9, 1999
- Last aired
- Jul 13, 2026
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- PBS
- Genres
- Documentary
- Updated
Where to watch
Streaming availability data provided by JustWatch via TMDB. Availability changes by country and date; verify on the provider before subscribing or purchasing.
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 542 episodes and an average 60-minute runtime.
Trailer
No official trailer is available for this title yet.
Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
Independent Lens is an award-winning anthology television series that premiered in 1999. The program airs on PBS and is also available for streaming through the PBS App. As a weekly series, it primarily features documentary films produced by independent filmmakers, though the anthology also includes a limited number of fiction films. The series is recognized for highlighting the artistic achievement, creative freedom, and unflinching visions of its producers. Each installment focuses on stories involving unique individuals, specific communities, or significant moments in history. Throughout its run, the series has featured various hosts, including Angela Bassett, Don Cheadle, Susan Sarandon, Edie Falco, Terrence Howard, Maggie Gyllenhaal, America Ferrera, Mary-Louise Parker, and Stanley Tucci. The show has been recognized with Emmy Awards for its contributions to television. Production of the series involves a wide range of cast and crew members, including directors and producers, who contribute to the diverse stories presented in each episode. The series remains a long-running fixture on public television.
Should you watch it?
“This anthology series showcases acclaimed documentaries and fiction films from independent producers with unique artistic visions.”
- features award-winning storytelling
- highlights unique historical moments
- showcases creative artistic freedom
- diverse subject matter may vary in appeal
- anthology format lacks a continuous narrative
Watch it if you appreciate independent filmmaking and compelling real-life stories.
The series explores various topics and historical moments, which may include mature themes depending on the specific episode.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 8 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 Wannabe: Life and Death in a Small Town Gang Aug 9, 1999
- E2 Nothing but the Truth Aug 16, 1999
- E3 Visas and Virtues; I Am Viet Hung Aug 23, 1999
- E4 The Man Who Drove with Mandela Aug 30, 1999
- E5 The Jew in the Lotus Sep 6, 1999
- E6 Holy Tortilla/Lock and Key Sep 13, 1999
- E7 Secret People Oct 4, 1999
- E8 I Can't Believe I Married a Lesbian Oct 11, 1999
Season 2 · 10 episodes
- E1 Now & Then: From Frosh to Seniors Oct 6, 2000
- E2 No Hair Day Oct 10, 2000
- E3 Short Stories Oct 16, 2000
- E4 Born in the USA Oct 23, 2000
- E5 Girl Gone Bad Oct 30, 2000
- E6 Passing Through; Graham's Diner Nov 6, 2000
- E7 The Return of Navajo Boy Nov 13, 2000
- E8 Music in Their Bones Nov 20, 2000
- E9 In Harm's Way; Carved from the Heart Nov 27, 2000
- E10 A Wok in Progress Dec 4, 2000
Season 3 · 10 episodes
- E1 Confederacy Theory Sep 7, 2001
- E2 Who Owns the Past? Sep 14, 2001
- E3 Secrets of Silicon Valley Sep 15, 2001
- E4 Gibtown Sep 21, 2001
- E5 Abandoned: The Betrayal of America's Immigrants Sep 22, 2001
- E6 Good Kurds, Bad Kurds Sep 28, 2001
- E7 Open Outcry Oct 5, 2001
- E8 The Split Horn Oct 12, 2001
- E9 Undetectable Oct 19, 2001
- E10 Romancing the Throne Nov 9, 2001
Season 4 · 14 episodes
- E1 Maggie Growls Feb 4, 2003
- E2 Off the Charts: The Song-Poem Story Feb 11, 2003
- E3 On This Island Feb 18, 2003
- E4 Downside Up Feb 25, 2003
- E5 Los Trabajadores/The Workers Mar 25, 2003
- E6 Chiefs Apr 1, 2003
- E7 Strange Fruit Apr 8, 2003
- E8 Bird by Bird with Annie: A Portrait of Anne Lamott Apr 22, 2003
- E9 Sisters in Resistance Apr 29, 2003
- E10 Heart of the Sea: Kapolioka'ehukai May 6, 2003
- E11 Guns and Mothers May 13, 2003
- E12 Razing Appalachia May 20, 2003
- E13 Hansel Mieth: Vagabond Photographer May 27, 2003
- E14 Daddy & Papa Jun 3, 2003
Season 5 · 28 episodes
- E1 Worst Possible Illusion: The Curiosity Cabinet of Vik Muniz Oct 14, 2003
- E2 Foto-Novelas 2: `Junkyard Saints' and `Broken Sky' Oct 21, 2003
- E3 Shaolin Ulysses: Kungfu Monks in America Oct 28, 2003
- E4 A Wedding in Ramallah Nov 4, 2003
- E5 Be Good, Smile Pretty Nov 11, 2003
- E6 Livermore Nov 25, 2003
- E7 Eroica! Dec 9, 2003
- E8 Loaded Gun: Life and Death and Dickinson Dec 16, 2003
- E9 Get the Fire! Young Mormon Missionaries Abroad Dec 23, 2003
- E10 Man Bites Shorts Dec 30, 2003
- E11 Make 'Em Dance: The Hackberry Ramblers' Story Jan 13, 2004
- E12 Life Matters Jan 20, 2004
- E13 Why Can't We Be a Family Again?; Downpour Resurfacing Jan 27, 2004
- E14 Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property Feb 10, 2004
- E15 A Place of Our Oen
- E16 Jimmy Scott: If You Only Knew Feb 24, 2004
- E17 Sentencing the Victim Mar 2, 2004
- E18 T-Shirt Travels Mar 23, 2004
- E19 Every Child Is Born a Poet: The Life and Work of Piri Thomas Mar 30, 2004
- E20 Love Inventory Apr 13, 2004
- E21 Ram Dass: Fierce Grace Apr 20, 2004
- E22 The Weather Underground Apr 27, 2004
- E23 One Night at the Grand Star; Double Exposure May 4, 2004
- E24 Refugee May 11, 2004
- E25 Death of a Shaman May 27, 2004
- E26 Cosmopolitan Jun 1, 2004
- E27 Sumo East and West Jun 8, 2004
- E28 The Amasong Chorus: Singing Out Jun 15, 2004
Frequently asked questions
What is Independent Lens?
It is an anthology series featuring documentaries and select fiction films.
Does the series have a consistent plot?
No, each episode presents a unique story about an individual, community, or historical moment.
Is the series well-regarded?
Yes, it is an acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning program.
What kind of films are featured?
The series primarily features documentaries alongside a limited number of fiction films.
Who produces the content?
The films are created by independent producers known for their artistic achievement.